1. Describe the stasis in the play: where, when, who, what, etc. in a paragraph. The play is a mixture of flashbacks, narration, and present day times. It takes place mainly during the 1960’s. Other parts of the play take place in the 1970s as well. The play focuses on the relationship between Lil Bit and her Uncle Peck. Uncle Peck sexually abuses her on a regular basis and the play shows how it affects Lil Bit and her personality. The play also focuses some time on the life of the rest of the family as well. Much of it takes place in Maryland.
2. What is the intrusion?
In my opinion, the intrusion of the play is when we learn of the sexual abuse Lil Bit unfortunately experienced from her Uncle Peck. This is a shock in almost any situation, so when it is learned in the play it no doubt changes the tone of the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
I feel the unique factor is when she tells us of the experience of her being abused. Also, when she has to come to terms with it and made her who she is today.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
What will become of the relationship between Uncle Peck and Lil Bit? Will she confront him? Will it continue? What exactly was Uncle Peck’s past that made him do it?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it. One example of an exposition is when we learn that only person/character knows that Uncle Peck has been sexually abusing Lil Bit. Another example of an exposition, which is known to all the characters, is knowing the sexual nature of all the nicknames of the members of the family.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play I feel is when we learn of when the abuse actually started, when Lil Bit is only 11 years old. We see how messed up Uncle Peck is and understand why Lil Bit has had so many problems in her life.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of the play include pedophilia, manipulation, and misogyny.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Lil Bit basically wants to live her life to the fullest but her dark abusive past with Uncle Peck keeps getting in the way. For instance, she goes to college, eager to learn and succeed, but the flashbacks of Uncle Peck keep haunting her and she eventually loses her scholarship and gets expelled from college due to a drinking problem. This drinking problem is most likely due to Uncle Peck. She keeps having flashbacks of being in the car with her Uncle. Another obstacle is her family herself, who are mostly oblivious to the abuse and have their own other fair share of problems. She also faces trouble in high school where she is constantly teased and harassed.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The car itself is an image. I feel it has two meanings, actually. It has a negative meaning of the abuse she endured and relates to the title “How I learned to Drive” in that she had to overcome this obstacle in order to be free. It also has the meaning of just being free and having the opportunity to do what she wants and can go just do it. She did learn “how to drive” in the end.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
This play completely centers around family, thought not in the best way. The play mainly focuses on the relationship between Lil Bit and her uncle. While he might care for her from his perspective, he really ruins her life. We also see all the other troubled relationships in the family. Uncle Peck is also shown to have possibly molested Cousin BB as well. She also has to deal with an alcoholic mother and just an overall dysfunctional family. This play shows that some of the biggest struggles people have to deal with take place within their families only and that family isn’t necessarily the best thing.
The play is a mixture of flashbacks, narration, and present day times. It takes place mainly during the 1960’s. Other parts of the play take place in the 1970s as well. The play focuses on the relationship between Lil Bit and her Uncle Peck. Uncle Peck sexually abuses her on a regular basis and the play shows how it affects Lil Bit and her personality. The play also focuses some time on the life of the rest of the family as well. Much of it takes place in Maryland.
2. What is the intrusion?
In my opinion, the intrusion of the play is when we learn of the sexual abuse Lil Bit unfortunately experienced from her Uncle Peck. This is a shock in almost any situation, so when it is learned in the play it no doubt changes the tone of the play.
3. What is the unique factor?
I feel the unique factor is when she tells us of the experience of her being abused. Also, when she has to come to terms with it and made her who she is today.
4. What is the dramatic question that should be answered by the end of the play?
What will become of the relationship between Uncle Peck and Lil Bit? Will she confront him? Will it continue? What exactly was Uncle Peck’s past that made him do it?
5. Provide an illustration of the two kinds of exposition that the play has in it.
One example of an exposition is when we learn that only person/character knows that Uncle Peck has been sexually abusing Lil Bit. Another example of an exposition, which is known to all the characters, is knowing the sexual nature of all the nicknames of the members of the family.
6. Identify the most theatrical moment in the play and of what importance it seems to be.
The most theatrical moment of the play I feel is when we learn of when the abuse actually started, when Lil Bit is only 11 years old. We see how messed up Uncle Peck is and understand why Lil Bit has had so many problems in her life.
7. List some of the themes of the play.
Themes of the play include pedophilia, manipulation, and misogyny.
8. Choose the character of Li'l Bit in the show and articulate what she wants and what are some obstacles that stand in the way of her getting what she wants?
Lil Bit basically wants to live her life to the fullest but her dark abusive past with Uncle Peck keeps getting in the way. For instance, she goes to college, eager to learn and succeed, but the flashbacks of Uncle Peck keep haunting her and she eventually loses her scholarship and gets expelled from college due to a drinking problem. This drinking problem is most likely due to Uncle Peck. She keeps having flashbacks of being in the car with her Uncle. Another obstacle is her family herself, who are mostly oblivious to the abuse and have their own other fair share of problems. She also faces trouble in high school where she is constantly teased and harassed.
9. Describe some possible images in the play and how does the title help us understand the play.
The car itself is an image. I feel it has two meanings, actually. It has a negative meaning of the abuse she endured and relates to the title “How I learned to Drive” in that she had to overcome this obstacle in order to be free. It also has the meaning of just being free and having the opportunity to do what she wants and can go just do it. She did learn “how to drive” in the end.
10. Briefly define the family relationships that are examined in the play.
This play completely centers around family, thought not in the best way. The play mainly focuses on the relationship between Lil Bit and her uncle. While he might care for her from his perspective, he really ruins her life. We also see all the other troubled relationships in the family. Uncle Peck is also shown to have possibly molested Cousin BB as well. She also has to deal with an alcoholic mother and just an overall dysfunctional family. This play shows that some of the biggest struggles people have to deal with take place within their families only and that family isn’t necessarily the best thing.